A MAN threatening to shoot pedestrians if they didn't hand over their bags looks to have struck twice in 10 minutes.

Police are investigating the similar incidents which occurred on Wednesday (November 27) evening.

The first saw the gun thug strike at 10.45pm. The victim - a 23-year-old woman - was walking along Kent Road West, Rusholme, near to its junction with Lower Park Road when she was approached by a man on a push bike.

He said if she did not hand over her bag he would shoot her. The woman managed to run away and the man rode off on his bike along Kent Road West empty handed.

At 10.56pm, a 19-year-old man was walking along Norman Road, near to its junction with Birch Grove, when a man cycled past him and took hold of his shoulder bag. The victim managed to pull the man off his bike but the attacker threatened to shoot him if he did not let go.

The offender then cycled off with the bag, which mainly contained personal items, towards the direction of Rusholme.

In both cases the man has been described as being Asian, in his twenties, with short black hair, of medium build, wearing dark clothing.

Detective Sergeant Phil Ribchester said: "Although these two people were not injured in any way they were left totally shocked and shaken by what had happened.

"They were both threatened that they would be shot if they did not hand over their belongings - although in both cases a firearm was not seen.

"I would ask anyone who saw a man matching the above description cycling around the area to please contact us on 0161 856 4462."

Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.